Teachers in Gulf Province spent their Christmas away from home due to the non-payment of their annual leave entitlements.
A concerned senior teacher in the province told Loop PNG that about 70 teachers are still waiting for their leave entitlements.
“We are all stuck here for Christmas and are very disappointed and not happy to be spending Christmas away from our families back home,” the teacher said.
The teachers didn’t get a positive response from the Division of Education Office on Friday, December 23, when they went to enquire about their entitlements.
“We were told verbally that accounts have been closed and funds will not be released until accounts are open.
“There are teachers here traveling as far as East New Britain, East Sepik, West New Britain and Simbu Province and this is very frustrating.”
The teachers most affected are from Kerema Secondary, Kikori Secondary and Malalaua High School, who have all celebrated Christmas Day at their schools.
Attempts to get a response from the provincial Division of Education were unsuccessful.
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